Turkish Daily News, 96-05-28
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
TURKISH DAILY NEWS
28 May 1996
CONTENTS
[01] Greek president aims to keep tensions high with Turkey
[02] Tripartite meeting urges more contributions to Bosnia
[03] Efes-96 armed forces exercises begin
[01] Greek president aims to keep tensions high with Turkey
EU sources are reported increasing 'fed up' with Athens
Turkish Daily News
ANKARA- Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos, continuing
with his aim of keeping tension high with Ankara, was quoted on
Monday as claiming that Turkey does not act according to "the
rules of civilization and democracy" and "has no regard
for international law."
In an address to local Cretan citizens in the town of Rethimno,
Stephanopoulos also accused Greece's partners and allies of being
"self-serving."
Stephanopoulos' remarks were carried by the Anatolia news agency
reporting from Athens.
Giving another address over the weekend, the Greek president bemoaned
what he called the lack of understanding for his country's arguments
vis-a-vis Turkey by Greece's partners in the West.
In a separate story from Brussels, Anatolia reported that Greece's
credibility within the European Union had been badly tarnished
because of its persistent veto on union funds earmarked for Turkey.
Quoting senior EU sources, Anatolia said that the credibility
of an union member is considered to have been shaken if it uses
its veto on a specific issue more than twice.
The sources were quoted as saying that Greece, in vetoing customs
union credits to Turkey and also blocking an aid package to Mediterranean
countries because Turkey is in this grouping, had made many officials
in Brussels 'fed up' with Athens.
These sources indicated that Greece, aware of the isolation it
was being pushed into in the EU had, in order to save the situation,
decided to lift its veto on the aid package to Mediterranean countries
with the proviso that the European Parliament review it.
Anatolia also quotes "British parliamentary sources"
as saying that Greece would sooner or later have to lift its veto
on aid to Turkey, especially on the customs union transition aid
allocated for small and medium-sized business concerns.
[02] Tripartite meeting urges more contributions to Bosnia
Turkish Daily News
ANKARA- A meeting of Turkish, Bosnian and Croat foreign
ministers here urged larger international contributions for the
reconstruction and rehabilitation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Foreign ministers Emre Gonensay of Turkey, Mate Granic of Croatia
and Jadranko Prlic of Bosnia-Herzegovina came together on Monday
to hold regular tripartite consultations on regional developments.
They came together early in the morning for a meeting among the
foreign ministers, then continued on to talks between the delegations
of the two countries. Later, the three foreign ministers were
received by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and President Suleyman
Demirel.
The meeting is also a preparatory step for the presidential meeting
between the three countries before the Bosnian elections.
A joint statement made after their talks said that all participants
agreed that the federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina "represented
the foundation of lasting peace."
They also stressed that Bosnia-Herzegovina should be maintained
as a "multicultural and multiethnic state of its constituent
nations and as a pluralistic democratic society."
The statement urged both sides "to continue vigorously the
Federation-building process at all levels" and urged the
settlement of remaining problems before the next session of the
Federal Parliament.
"There are still problems regarding the implementation of
the Dayton accord," Prlic said.
The three ministers pointed out the importance of the holding
of free and fair elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina within the peace
agreement time-frame.
Gonensay confirmed Turkey's support for Bosnia and Croatia to
be involved in Euro-Atlantic integration and the Council of Europe,
the statement said.
[03] Efes-96 armed forces exercises begin
Turkish Daily News
ANKARA- The Efes-96 maneuvers of the Turkish Armed forces
started today. According to a written statement from the General
Staff, the exercise will take place in the international waters
and airspace of the Aegean Sea and in the Doganbey\Seferihisar
zone of Turkey's Aegean region. The navy, air force and land force
are all involved. The maneuvers will continue until June 14.
Live ammunition will be used and some new defense tactics will
be used to test coordination and cooperation between the navy,
air force and land forces.
Some foreign observers from various countries have been invited
to follow the maneuvers. Additionally, the actual phase of the
exercise can also be followed by citizens until June 13, 1996.
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